U.S. patent application number 15/908484 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-06 for lenses and lighting devices including same.
This patent application is currently assigned to OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Yvetta Pols Sandhu, Bruce Radl, Zhuo Wang. Invention is credited to Yvetta Pols Sandhu, Bruce Radl, Zhuo Wang.
Application Number | 20180252389 15/908484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58091944 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180252389 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Radl; Bruce ; et
al. |
September 6, 2018 |
LENSES AND LIGHTING DEVICES INCLUDING SAME
Abstract
Optical components for lighting devices and lighting devices
including such components are described. In some embodiments the
optical components are in the form of a lens that alter the
distribution of light produced by a lighting fixture. In some
embodiments, the lenses are in the form of a downlight to wallwash
lens which, when placed in a downlight fixture, convert the light
distribution to that of a wallwash fixture, e.g., causing the
downlight to produce an off-axis light distribution, without
changing the fixture. The lens includes a body with a light source
facing side and an opposite room facing side having two optically
active regions, each including structures that redirect a portion
of light received through the light source facing side and incident
thereon. The first region includes structures that redirect, via
refraction, and the second region includes structures that
redirect, in part via total internal reflection.
Inventors: |
Radl; Bruce; (Stow, MA)
; Wang; Zhuo; (Pleasanton, CA) ; Pols Sandhu;
Yvetta; (Winchester, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Radl; Bruce
Wang; Zhuo
Pols Sandhu; Yvetta |
Stow
Pleasanton
Winchester |
MA
CA
MA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
Wilmington
MA
|
Family ID: |
58091944 |
Appl. No.: |
15/908484 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14722225 |
May 27, 2015 |
9920903 |
|
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15908484 |
|
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62003694 |
May 28, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S 41/285 20180101;
F21V 5/045 20130101; F21V 5/08 20130101; G02B 19/0061 20130101;
F21V 7/0091 20130101; F21S 41/29 20180101; G02B 3/08 20130101; F21V
5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F21V 7/00 20060101
F21V007/00; G02B 19/00 20060101 G02B019/00; G02B 3/08 20060101
G02B003/08; F21V 5/04 20060101 F21V005/04 |
Claims
1. A lens, comprising: a body comprising a light source facing side
and a room facing side, the room facing side being substantially
opposite the light source facing side and the room facing side
further comprising a first optically active region and a second
optically active region and a third optically active region formed
therein, wherein: the first optically active region comprises first
optically active structures configured to redirect, via refraction,
a portion of light received through the light source facing side
and incident thereon; the second optically active region comprises
second optically active structures configured to redirect, in part
via total internal reflection, a portion of light received through
the light source facing side and incident thereon; and the third
optically active region comprises third optically active structures
configured to redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a
portion of light received through the light source facing side and
incident thereon; and the lens produces a light output having an
off-axis light distribution; and wherein the body comprises a top,
a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the top being spaced
laterally orthogonal from the room facing side; the first optically
active region is positioned in the room facing side such that at
least a first side of the first optically active region is offset
from the top; and the second optically active region is positioned
in the room facing side at a location proximate the first optically
active region such that at least a first edge of the second
optically active region is located proximate a second edge of the
first optically active region that is substantially opposite the
first side of the first optically active region; and the third
optically active region is positioned in the room facing side at a
location proximate the second optically active region such that at
least one edge of the third optically active region is located
proximate a second edge of the second optically active region that
is substantially opposite the first edge of the second optically
active region; and wherein light exiting from the third optically
active region is directed from the room facing side angled towards
the top more than is light exiting from the second optically active
region, and wherein light exiting from the second optically active
region is directed from the room facing side angled towards the top
more than is light exiting from the first optically active
region.
2. The lens of claim 1, wherein the first optically active
structures redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; wherein
the second optically active structures redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative to the horizontal plane of the body; and wherein the
output angle .THETA..sub.2 is less than the output angle
.THETA..sub.1.
3. The lens of claim 1, wherein the first optically active
structures comprise first teeth, each of the first teeth comprising
a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of
each of the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a first
direction at an angle A.sub.1, and the second surface of each of
the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a second direction
at an angle Q.sub.1, the second direction being substantially
opposite the first direction.
4. The lens of claim 3, wherein the second optically active
structures comprise second teeth, the second teeth comprising first
and second surfaces, wherein the first surface of each of the
second teeth is oriented toward the body in the first direction and
at an angle A.sub.2, and the second surface of each of the second
teeth is oriented toward the body in the second direction and at an
angle Q.sub.2, wherein the angle A.sub.1 differs from the angle
A.sub.2 and the angle Q.sub.1 differs from the angle Q.sub.2.
5. (canceled)
6. The lens of claim 1, wherein the top comprises a coupling member
configured to be reversibly engaged with a receiving member of a
lighting device.
7. The lens of claim 1, further comprising an optically inactive
region between the first optically active region and the top.
8. (canceled)
9. The lens of claim 1, wherein: the first optically active
structures redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; the
second optically active structures redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative to the horizontal plane; the third optically active
structures redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a
portion of the light incident thereon towards the top of the body
at an output angle .THETA..sub.3 relative to the horizontal plane;
and the output angle .THETA..sub.3 is less than the output angle
.THETA..sub.2, and the output angle .THETA..sub.2 is less than the
output angle .THETA..sub.1.
10. The lens of claim 1, wherein: the first optically active
structures comprise first teeth, each of the first teeth comprising
a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of
each of the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a first
direction at an angle A.sub.1 and the second surface of each of the
first teeth is oriented toward the body in a second direction at an
angle Q.sub.1, the second direction being substantially opposite
the first direction; the second optically active structures
comprise second teeth, each of the second teeth comprising first
and second surfaces, wherein the first surface of each of the
second teeth is oriented toward the body in the first direction and
at an angle A.sub.2, and the second surface of each of the second
teeth is oriented toward the body in the second direction and at an
angle Q.sub.2, wherein the angle A.sub.1 differs from the angle
A.sub.2 and the angle Q differs from the angle Q.sub.2; and the
third optically active structures comprise third teeth.
11. The lens of claim 10, wherein the third teeth comprise
multi-angle teeth.
12. The lens of claim 11, wherein each of the multi-angle teeth
comprise a plurality of first surfaces and at least one second
surface, wherein the plurality of first surfaces are oriented
toward the body in the first direction and are configured to
redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a portion of the
light received through the light source facing side and incident
thereon, and wherein the at least one second surface is oriented
toward the body in the second direction.
13. A lighting device, comprising: a housing comprising a base and
an aperture; a light source installed in the housing and configured
to emit light toward the aperture; and a lens configured to be
installed within the housing, the lens comprising a body comprising
a light source facing side and a room facing side, the room facing
side being substantially opposite the light source facing side and
the room facing side further comprising a first optically active
region and a second optically active region and a third optically
active region formed therein, wherein: the light source facing side
is oriented toward the light source; the first optically active
region comprises first optically active structures configured to
redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light emitted by the
light source that is received through the light source facing side
and is incident on the first optically active region; the second
optically active region comprises second optically active
structures configured to redirect, in part via total internal
reflection, a portion of the light emitted by the light source that
is received through the light source facing side and is incident on
the second optically active region; and the third optically active
region comprises third optically active structures configured to
redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a portion of light
received through the light source facing side and incident thereon;
and the lighting device produces a light output with a light
distribution that is off-axis with respect to an axis of the
aperture; and wherein the body comprises a top, a bottom, a first
side, and a second side, the top being spaced laterally orthogonal
from the room facing side; the first optically active region is
positioned in the room facing side such that at least a first side
of the first optically active region is offset from the top; and
the second optically active region is positioned in the room facing
side at a location proximate the first optically active region such
that at least a first edge of the second optically active region is
located proximate a second edge of the first optically active
region that is substantially opposite the first side of the first
optically active region; and the third optically active region is
positioned in the room facing side at a location proximate the
second optically active region such that at least one edge of the
third optically active region is located proximate a second edge of
the second optically active region that is substantially opposite
the first edge of the second optically active region; and wherein
light exiting from the third optically active region is directed
from the room facing side angled towards the top more than is light
exiting from the second optically active region, and wherein light
exiting from the second optically active region is directed from
the room facing side angled towards the top more than is light
exiting from the first optically active region.
14. The lighting device of claim 13, wherein the first optically
active structures redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; wherein
the second optically active structures redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative the horizontal plane; and wherein the output angle
.THETA..sub.2 is less than the output angle .THETA..sub.1.
15. The lighting device of claim 13, wherein the first optically
active structures comprise first teeth, each of the first teeth
comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first
surface of each of the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a
first direction at an angle A.sub.1, and the second surface of each
of the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a second
direction at an angle Q.sub.1, the second direction being
substantially opposite the first direction.
16. The lighting device of claim 15, wherein the second optically
active structures comprise second teeth, the second teeth
comprising first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface of
each of the second teeth is oriented toward the body in the first
direction and at an angle A.sub.2, and the second surface of each
of the second teeth is oriented toward the body in the second
direction and at an angle Q.sub.2, wherein the angle A.sub.1
differs from the angle A.sub.2 and the angle Q.sub.1 differs from
the angle Q.sub.2.
17. (canceled)
18. The lighting device of claim 13, further comprising a receiving
member, wherein the top of the body of the lens comprises a
coupling member configured to be reversibly engaged with the
receiving member of the lighting device.
19. The lighting device of claim 13, further comprising an
optically inactive region between the first optically active region
and the top of the body of the lens.
20. (canceled)
21. The lighting device of claim 13, wherein: the first optically
active structures redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; the
second optically active structures redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative to the horizontal plane; the third optically active
structures redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a
portion of the light incident thereon towards the top of the body
at an output angle .THETA..sub.3 relative to the horizontal plane;
and the output angle .THETA..sub.3 is less than the output angle
.THETA..sub.2, and the output angle .THETA..sub.2 is less than the
output angle .THETA..sub.1.
22. The lighting device of claim 13, wherein: the first optically
active structures comprise first teeth, each of the first teeth
comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first
surface of each of the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a
first direction at an angle A.sub.1 and the second surface of each
of the first teeth is oriented toward the body in a second
direction at an angle Q.sub.1, the second direction being
substantially opposite the first direction; the second optically
active structures comprise second teeth, each of the second teeth
comprising first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface of
each of the second teeth is oriented toward the body in the first
direction and at an angle A.sub.2, and the second surface of each
of the second teeth is oriented toward the body in the second
direction and at an angle Q.sub.2, wherein the angle A.sub.1
differs from the angle A.sub.2 and the angle Q.sub.1 differs from
the angle Q.sub.2; and the third optically active structures
comprise third teeth.
23. The lighting device of claim 22, wherein the third teeth
comprise multi-angle teeth.
24. The lighting device of claim 23, wherein each of the
multi-angle teeth comprise a plurality of first surfaces and at
least one second surface, wherein the plurality of first surfaces
are oriented toward the body in the first direction and are
configured to redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a
portion of the light received through the light source facing side
and incident thereon, and wherein the at least one second surface
is oriented toward the body in the second direction.
25. The lighting device of claim 14, wherein the top comprises a
coupling member; and wherein the housing comprises a receiving
member configured to receivably engage the coupling member of the
top of the body of the lens so as to retain the lens within the
housing at an angle such that the bottom of the body of the lens is
proximate the aperture of the housing, and the top of the body of
the lens is proximate the base of the housing.
26. The lighting device of claim 21, wherein the top comprises a
coupling member; and wherein the housing comprises a receiving
member configured to receivably engage the coupling member so as to
retain the lens within the housing at an angle such that the bottom
of the body of the lens is proximate the aperture of the housing,
and the top of the body of the lens is proximate the base of the
housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/003,694, entitled "DOWNLIGHT TO WALLWASH
LENS" and filed on May 28, 2014, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference, and priority of application U.S.
Ser. No. 14/722,225, entitled "Lenses and Lighting Devices
Including Same" and filed May 27, 2015, now allowed, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to optical
components, such as lenses, for lighting devices, and lighting
devices including such components.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Lighting devices are often used to illuminate various
spaces. Downlight fixtures, also known as downlights, generally
include a lighting device that is mounted in a fixture that is
intended for use in a ceiling. Typically a downlight is used to
illuminate an area underneath the ceiling in which it is installed.
The distribution of light emanating from a downlight often has an
axial distribution. That is, the distribution of light emanating
from a downlight will often be substantially symmetrical about an
axis of symmetry. A typical downlight will therefore often produce
a light distribution in which a generally equal amount of light is
emitted on each side of the axis of symmetry. In many instances the
axis of symmetry is formed about an axis that is perpendicular to
the surface in which the fixture is installed. Alternatively or
additionally, the axis of symmetry may correspond to an axis of the
lighting device in the downlight, which may or may not be oriented
substantially perpendicular to a surface in which the downlight is
installed.
[0004] Interest has grown in the use of downlights to illuminate
walls, objects, and other spaces that may not be directly below or
above the downlight. For example, for architectural or other
reasons it may be desirable to install a downlight in a ceiling or
floor, but to use the downlight to illuminate all or a portion of a
nearby wall or an object affixed thereto, such as artwork.
Downlights that are used in this manner are often referred to as
wallwash fixtures. Typically, a wallwash fixture is installed in a
ceiling or a floor, relatively close to the wall to be illuminated,
so that at least some of the light emitted by the wallwash fixture
illuminates the wall. Many wallwash fixtures emit light having the
same or similar light distribution as a typical downlight. That is,
many wallwash fixtures will emit light having an axial
distribution.
SUMMARY
[0005] As a result of conventional wallwash fixtures having an
axial distribution, similar to a downlight, only a relatively small
portion of the light emitted from a conventional wallwash fixture
will illuminate a wall when the fixture is installed in a surface
that is substantially perpendicular to or at an acute angle to the
wall, such as a ceiling or a floor. This is true even if the
fixture is installed relatively close to the wall. Thus, interest
has grown in adjusting the distribution of light emitted from a
wallwash fixture such that a larger amount of the emitted light is
directed towards a wall to be illuminated. Although some progress
has been made in this regard, further improvements and/or other
approaches to adjusting the distribution of light emanating
continue to be of interest in the lighting industry.
[0006] Although efforts have been made to improve the amount of
light emanating from a wallwash fixture towards a wall, existing
wallwash fixtures still suffer from a variety of drawbacks. For
example, some wallwash fixtures utilize a light source and a gimbal
that can be used to incline the axis of the light source towards a
wall, e.g., by mechanically tilting the light source (and its axis)
and/or by laterally shifting the light source and using a reflector
to redirect light emitted from the light source towards a wall. As
may be appreciated such wallwash fixtures rely on a design that
differs from that of a traditional downlight, as well as the use of
additional parts. This may increase their manufacturing complexity
and/or cost, and may require retailers to carry multiple different
types of fixtures (e.g., downlights and wallwash fixtures).
[0007] Another way of increasing the amount of light emanating from
a wallwash fixture is to mount the fixture on a wall, e.g., such
that an aperture of the fixture faces an opposing, to-be
illuminated wall. Although mounting a wallwash fixture in this
manner may enhance illumination of the opposing wall, it may limit
the amount of light emanating from the fixture that is directed
towards an area under the fixture, such as a floor. This may
meaningfully limit the usefulness of the fixture as a downlight,
and may require the installation of additional light fixtures to
provide adequate illumination of the area in which the wallwash
fixture is installed.
[0008] Various optical elements such as lenses, diffusers,
reflectors, etc., have also been investigated for use in modifying
the distribution of light emanating from a wallwash fixture. For
example, some wallwash fixtures have been modified to include an
eyelid trim that only permits light directed towards a wall to
propagate out of the fixture. Alternatively, kicker reflectors have
been employed to redirect light emitted by a downlight towards a
wall. Direction turning films have also been employed to alter the
distribution of light emanating from a downlight, with varying
degrees of success. Although useful, such approaches may limit the
amount of light output by a fixture, provide an undesirable light
distribution, and/or may still direct insufficient light towards a
to-be illuminated wall.
[0009] With the foregoing in mind, one aspect of the present
disclosure relates to lenses for modifying the distribution of
light emitted from a lighting fixture, such as a downlight fixture.
As will be described in detail below, in some embodiments the
lenses described herein may include a plurality of optically active
zones that can redirect at least a portion of light incident
thereon in various ways. As a result light downstream of the lenses
described herein (hereinafter, output light) may have an off-axis
light distribution. That is, the distribution of the output light
may be off-axis relative to one or more of an axis of the lens
and/or an axis of an aperture of a housing in which the lens is
installed. In particular, the lenses described herein may be
configured to produce an output light that is off-axis with respect
to at least one of a vertical axis of the lens and/or a vertical
axis of an aperture of a housing in which the lens is
installed.
[0010] In an embodiment, there is provided a lens. The lens
includes: a body comprising a light source facing side and a room
facing side, the room facing side being substantially opposite the
light source facing side and comprising a first optically active
region and a second optically active region formed therein,
wherein: the first optically active region comprises first
optically active structures configured to redirect, via refraction,
a portion of light received through the light source facing side
and incident thereon; the second optically active region comprises
second optically active structures configured to redirect, in part
via total internal reflection, a portion of light received through
the light source facing side and incident thereon; and the lens
produces a light output having an off-axis light distribution.
[0011] In a related embodiment, the body may include a top, a
bottom, and first and second sides; the first optically active
structures may redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output angle
.THETA.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; the second
optically active structures may redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative to the horizontal plane of the body; and the output angle
.THETA..sub.2 may be less than the output angle .THETA..sub.1. In
another related embodiment, the first optically active structures
may include first teeth, each of the first teeth including a first
surface and a second surface, the first surface of each of the
first teeth may be oriented toward the body in a first direction at
an angle A.sub.1, and the second surface of each of the first teeth
may be oriented toward the body in a second direction at an angle
Q.sub.1, the second direction may be substantially opposite the
first direction. In a further related embodiment, the second
optically active structures may include second teeth, the second
teeth including first and second surfaces, the first surface of
each of the second teeth may be oriented toward the body in the
first direction and at an angle A.sub.2, and the second surface of
each of the second teeth may be oriented toward the body in the
second direction and at an angle Q.sub.2, wherein the angle A.sub.1
may differ from the angle A.sub.2 and the angle Q.sub.1 may differ
from the angle Q.sub.2.
[0012] In yet another related embodiment, the body may include a
top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side; the first optically
active region may be positioned in the room facing side such that
at least a first side of the first optically active region is
offset from the top; and the second optically active region may be
positioned in the room facing side at a location proximate the
first optically active region such that at least one edge of the
second optically active region is located proximate a second edge
of the first optically active region that is substantially opposite
the first edge of the first optically active region. In a further
related embodiment, the top may include a coupling member
configured to be reversibly engaged with a receiving member of a
lighting device. In another further related embodiment, the lens
may further include an optically inactive region between the first
optically active region and the top.
[0013] In still another related embodiment, the room facing side
may further include a third optically active region formed therein,
the third optically active region including third optically active
structures configured to redirect, in part via total internal
reflection, at least a portion of light incident thereon and
received through the light source facing side. In a further related
embodiment, the body may include a top, a bottom, a first side, and
a second side; the first optically active structures may redirect,
via refraction, a portion of the light incident thereon towards the
top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.1 relative to a
horizontal plane of the body; the second optically active
structures may redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a
portion of the light incident thereon towards the top of the body
at an output angle .THETA..sub.2 relative to the horizontal plane;
the third optically active structures may redirect, in part via
total internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.3
relative to the horizontal plane; and the output angle
.THETA..sub.3 may be less than the output angle .THETA..sub.2, and
the output angle .THETA..sub.2 may be less than the output angle
.THETA..sub.1. In another further related embodiment, the first
optically active structures may include first teeth, each of the
first teeth including a first surface and a second surface, the
first surface of each of the first teeth may be oriented toward the
body in a first direction at an angle A.sub.1 and the second
surface of each of the first teeth may be oriented toward the body
in a second direction at an angle Q.sub.1, the second direction
being substantially opposite the first direction; the second
optically active structures include second teeth, each of the
second teeth including first and second surfaces, wherein the first
surface of each of the second teeth may be oriented toward the body
in the first direction and at an angle A.sub.2, and the second
surface of each of the second teeth may be oriented toward the body
in the second direction and at an angle Q.sub.2, wherein the angle
A.sub.1 may differ from the angle A.sub.2 and the angle Q.sub.1 may
differ from the angle Q.sub.2; and the third optically active
structures may include third teeth. In a further related
embodiment, the third teeth include multi-angle teeth. In a further
related embodiment, each of the multi-angle teeth include a
plurality of first surfaces and at least one second surface, the
plurality of first surfaces may be oriented toward the body in the
first direction and may be configured to redirect, in part via
total internal reflection, a portion of the light received through
the light source facing side and incident thereon, and the at least
one second surface may be oriented toward the body in the second
direction.
[0014] In another embodiment, there is provide a lighting device.
The lighting device includes a housing comprising a base and an
aperture; a light source installed in the housing and configured to
emit light toward the aperture; and a lens configured to be
installed within the housing, the lens including a body including a
light source facing side and a room facing side, the room facing
side being substantially opposite the light source facing side and
including a first optically active region and a second optically
active region formed therein, wherein: the light source facing side
is oriented toward the light source; the first optically active
region comprises first optically active structures configured to
redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light emitted by the
light source that is received through the light source facing side
and is incident on the first optically active region; the second
optically active region comprises second optically active
structures configured to redirect, in part via total internal
reflection, a portion of the light emitted by the light source that
is received through the light source facing side and is incident on
the second optically active region; and the lighting device
produces a light output with a light distribution that is off-axis
with respect to an axis of the aperture.
[0015] In a related embodiment, the body of the lens includes a
top, a bottom, and first and second sides; the first optically
active structures may redirect, via refraction, a portion of the
light incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output
angle .THETA..sub.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; the
second optically active structures may redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative the horizontal plane; and the output angle .THETA..sub.2
may be less than the output angle .THETA..sub.1. In another related
embodiment, the first optically active structures may include first
teeth, each of the first teeth including a first surface and a
second surface, the first surface of each of the first teeth may be
oriented toward the body in a first direction at an angle A.sub.1,
and the second surface of each of the first teeth may be oriented
toward the body in a second direction at an angle Q.sub.1, the
second direction being substantially opposite the first direction.
In a further related embodiment, the second optically active
structures include second teeth, the second teeth including first
and second surfaces, the first surface of each of the second teeth
may be oriented toward the body in the first direction and at an
angle A.sub.2, and the second surface of each of the second teeth
may be oriented toward the body in the second direction and at an
angle Q.sub.2, the angle A.sub.1 may differ from the angle A.sub.2
and the angle Q.sub.1 may differ from the angle Q.sub.2.
[0016] In still another related embodiment, the body of the lens
may include a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side; the
first optically active region may be positioned in the room facing
side such that at least a first side of the first optically active
region is offset from the top; and the second optically active
region may be positioned in the room facing side at a location
proximate the first optically active region, such that at least one
edge of the second optically active region is located proximate a
second edge of the first optically active region that is
substantially opposite the first edge of the first optically active
region. In a further related embodiment, the lighting device may
further include a receiving member, and the top of the body of the
lens may include a coupling member configured to be reversibly
engaged with the receiving member of the lighting device. In
another further related embodiment, the lighting device may further
include an optically inactive region between the first optically
active region and the top of the body of the lens.
[0017] In yet another related embodiment, the room facing side may
further include a third optically active region formed therein, the
third optically active region including third optically active
structures configured to redirect, in part via total internal
reflection, at least a portion of light incident thereon and
received through the light source facing side. In a further related
embodiment, the body of the lens may include a top, a bottom, a
first side, and a second side; the first optically active
structures may redirect, via refraction, a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top of the body at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1 relative to a horizontal plane of the body; the
second optically active structures may redirect, in part via total
internal reflection, a portion of the light incident thereon
towards the top of the body at an output angle .THETA..sub.2
relative to the horizontal plane; the third optically active
structures may redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a
portion of the light incident thereon towards the top of the body
at an output angle .THETA..sub.3 relative to the horizontal plane;
and the output angle .THETA..sub.3 may be less than the output
angle .THETA..sub.2, and the output angle .THETA..sub.2 may be less
than the output angle .THETA..sub.1. In another further related
embodiment, the first optically active structures may include first
teeth, each of the first teeth including a first surface and a
second surface, the first surface of each of the first teeth may be
oriented toward the body in a first direction at an angle A.sub.1
and the second surface of each of the first teeth may be oriented
toward the body in a second direction at an angle Q.sub.1, the
second direction being substantially opposite the first direction;
the second optically active structures may include second teeth,
each of the second teeth including first and second surfaces,
wherein the first surface of each of the second teeth may be
oriented toward the body in the first direction and at an angle
A.sub.2, and the second surface of each of the second teeth may be
oriented toward the body in the second direction and at an angle
Q.sub.2, the angle A.sub.1 may differ from the angle A.sub.2 and
the angle Q.sub.1 may differ from the angle Q.sub.2; and the third
optically active structures may include third teeth. In a further
related embodiment, the third teeth may include multi-angle teeth.
In a further related embodiment, each of the multi-angle teeth may
include a plurality of first surfaces and at least one second
surface, wherein the plurality of first surfaces may be oriented
toward the body in the first direction and are configured to
redirect, in part via total internal reflection, a portion of the
light received through the light source facing side and incident
thereon, and the at least one second surface may be oriented toward
the body in the second direction.
[0018] In still yet another related embodiment, the body of the
lens may include a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side,
the top may include a coupling member; and the housing may include
a receiving member configured to receivably engage the coupling
member of the top of the body of the lens so as to retain the lens
within the housing at an angle such that the bottom of the body of
the lens is proximate the aperture of the housing, and the top of
the body of the lens is proximate the base of the housing.
[0019] In yet still another related embodiment, the body of the
lens may include a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side,
the top may include a coupling member; and the housing may include
a receiving member configured to receivably engage the coupling
member so as to retain the lens within the housing at an angle such
that the bottom of the body of the lens is proximate the aperture
of the housing, and the top of the body of the lens is proximate
the base of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages
disclosed herein will be apparent from the following description of
particular embodiments disclosed herein, as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to
the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles disclosed herein.
[0021] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict examples of a downlight to wallwash
lens according to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates example first optically active structures
of a first optically active region according to embodiments
disclosed herein.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates example second optically active
structures of a second optically active region according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates example third optically active structures
of a third optically active region according to embodiments
disclosed herein.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a room facing side of an
example downlight to wallwash lens according to embodiments
disclosed herein.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the example downlight
to wallwash lens of FIG. 5A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0027] FIG. 5C is a top down view of a room facing side of the
example downlight to wallwash lens of FIG. 5A according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0028] FIG. 5D is a first side view of the example downlight to
wallwash lens of FIG. 5A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0029] FIG. 5E is a second side view of the example downlight to
wallwash lens of FIG. 5A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0030] FIG. 5F is a top view of the example downlight to wallwash
lens of FIG. 5A according to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0031] FIG. 5G is a bottom view of the example downlight to
wallwash lens of FIG. 5A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a light source emitting rays through the
example downlight to wallwash lens of FIG. 5A according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0033] FIG. 7A illustrates an example downlight to wallwash lens
including optically active structures on a light source facing side
thereof according to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0034] FIG. 7B is a top down view of the light source facing side
of the example downlight to wallwash lens of FIG. 7A according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0035] FIG. 7C is a first side view of the light source facing side
of the example downlight to wallwash lens of FIG. 7A according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0036] FIG. 7D is a second side view of the light source facing
side of the example downlight to wallwash lens of FIG. 7A according
to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0037] FIG. 7E is a bottom view of the light source facing side of
the example downlight to wallwash lens of FIG. 7A according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0038] FIG. 8A is a top down view of a light source facing side of
another example downlight to wallwash lens including optically
active structures on the light source facing side thereof according
to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0039] FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the example downlight to
wallwash lens of FIG. 8A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0040] FIG. 9A is a top down view of a light source facing side of
yet another example downlight to wallwash lens including optically
active structures on the light source facing side thereof according
to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0041] FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the example downlight to
wallwash lens of FIG. 9A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0042] FIG. 10A is a top down view of a light source facing side of
an additional example downlight to wallwash lens including
optically active structures on the light source facing side thereof
according to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0043] FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the example downlight to
wallwash lens of FIG. 10A according to embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example downlight to
wallwash fixture including a downlight to wallwash lens according
to embodiments disclosed herein.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example
lighting device including a downlight to wallwash lens according to
embodiments disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] Note that one or more elements of embodiments may be
numerically designated, e.g., as a first, second, third, etc.
element. In this context it should be understood that the numerical
designation is for the sake of clarity only (e.g., to distinguish
one element from another), and that elements so designated are not
limited by their specific numerical designation. Moreover the
specification may from time to time refer to a first element may be
described as being "on" a second element. In that context it should
be understood that the first element may be directly on the second
element (i.e., without intervening elements there between), or that
one or more intervening elements may be present between the first
and second elements. In contrast, the term "directly on" means that
the first element is present on the second element without any
intervening elements there between.
[0047] From time to time one or more aspects of the present
disclosure may be described using ranges. In such instances it
should be understood that the indicated ranges are exemplary only
unless expressly indicated otherwise. Moreover, the indicated
ranges should be understood to include all of the individual values
of falling within the indicated range, as though such values were
expressly recited. Moreover, the ranges should be understood to
encompass sub ranges within the indicated range, as though such sub
ranges were expressly recited. By way of example, a range of 1 to
10 should be understood to include 2, 3, 4 . . . etc., as well as
the range of 2 to 10, 3 to 10, 2 to 8, etc., as though such values
and ranges were expressly recited.
[0048] As used herein, the terms "substantially" and "about" when
used in connection with an amount or range mean plus or minus 5% of
the stated amount or the endpoints of the range. When used in
connection with the alignment of an element with respect to an axis
or a plane, the terms "substantially" and "about" refer to an
element that is aligned with the indicated axis or plane to within
+/-5 degrees.
[0049] As used herein, the term "solid state light source" refers
to any light emitting diode or other type of carrier
injection/junction-based system that is capable of generating
radiation in response to an electrical signal. Thus, the term solid
state light source includes, but is not limited to, various
semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to
current, light emitting polymers, light emitting strips,
electro-luminescent strips, combination thereof and the like. In
particular, the term solid state light source refers to light
emitting diodes of all types (including semi-conductor and organic
light emitting diodes) that may be configured to generate light in
all or various portions of one or more of the visible, ultraviolet,
and infrared spectrum. Non-limiting examples of suitable solid
state light sources that may be used include various types of
infrared LEDs, ultraviolet LEDs, red LEDs, green LEDs, blue LEDs,
yellow LEDs, amber LEDs, orange LEDs, and white LEDs, where
different light output represented by color corresponds to
emissions having different wavelengths on the light spectrum as
measured by, for example, nanometers. Such solid state light
sources may be configured to emit light over a broad spectrum (for
example but not limited to the entire visible light spectrum) or a
narrow spectrum.
[0050] While the specification describes various embodiments
including one or more solid state light sources, it should be
understood that the lenses described herein may be used with any
suitable light source. For example, the lenses may be used with
traditional light sources such as but not limited to incandescent,
gas discharge, electrodeless fluorescent, and the like, including
combinations thereof.
[0051] Throughout this application, the directional terms "up",
"down", "upward", "downward", "top", "bottom", "side", "lateral",
"longitudinal", "room facing", "ceiling facing", "wall facing",
"light source facing", and the like are used to describe the
absolute and relative orientations and/or positions of particular
elements. For example, some embodiments herein refer to a "room
facing" or "back" side of a lens, through which light exits the
lens, and a "ceiling facing" or "front" side of a lens, which faces
one or more light sources (and may also be referred to as a "light
source facing" side of the lens). In this example "room facing" or
"back", and "ceiling facing" or "front", along with "light source
facing", are used to indicate the typical orientations when the
lens is installed and operational, e.g., as mounted in a downlight
luminaire within a ceiling or a ceiling grid tile. It should be
understood that these orientation terms are used only for
convenience, and are not intended to be limiting. Thus, when a lens
according to embodiments described herein is, for example, packaged
in a box, resting on a counter, leaned up against a wall, or in
various stages of assembly on an assembly line, the lens may be
positioned in any orientation but will still have a "ceiling
facing" or "front" or "light side facing" side that faces a light
source and a "room facing" or "back" side through which light would
exit the lens, if it were installed in relation to light sources
and if those light sources were powered and operational. In other
words, the orientation terms are used for ease of description and
may be used regardless of the actual orientation of the lens at a
given point in time.
[0052] For ease of description and to facilitate understanding, the
present disclosure describes various embodiments in which a lens is
indicated as having a "room facing" or "downward facing" side, as
well as a ceiling facing or light source facing side. It should be
understood however, that such embodiments are not limited to the
indicated orientations. Indeed the lenses described herein can be
used in any suitable orientation. Therefore a side of a lens that
is described as room facing or downward facing may be and in some
embodiments is oriented such that it faces a ceiling or a wall,
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Of
course, changing the orientation of the lenses described herein may
affect their optical performance. These performance alterations may
also change the overall distribution of light downstream of the
lenses described herein. Thus for example, when a lens consistent
with the present disclosure oriented in one direction (e.g., with
one face towards a ceiling), it may cast light upon an adjacent
wall, though perhaps to a greater or lesser degree or in a
different distribution than if the lens was oriented in another
direction (e.g., with that face oriented towards a floor). Likewise
when a lens consistent with the present disclosure is oriented to
face a wall it may cast light upon a nearby floor or ceiling,
depending on the orientation of the lens in relation to the wall.
Therefore in some embodiments the room facing side of a lens may be
understood as a "first" side of the lens, and the light source
facing side of the lens may be understood as a "second" side of the
lens, wherein the first and second sides may be oriented in any
suitable manner.
[0053] As used throughout, the term "off-axis", when used in
connection with a light distribution generally, means that the
amount of light in the field extending about the axis in question
is non-uniform. Put in other terms, an off-axis light distribution
may be understood as a distribution in which the concentration of
light in one (e.g., first) region of a field extending about an
axis in question (e.g., an axis extending through a the lens, an
axis of a light source, an axis of an aperture of a housing of a
downlight, etc.) is greater or less than the amount of light within
another (e.g., second) region of the field extending about the
axis. More generally, an off-axis light distribution may be
understood as a light distribution in which the amount of light in
the field extending about an axis in question is not symmetrical.
In some embodiments, an off-axis light distribution correlates to a
light distribution in which the direction of maximum light
intensity about a mechanical axis (e.g., an axis of a lens, light
source, or aperture of a housing of a downlight, etc.) With
reference to this direction of maximum intensity, the light pattern
around it may also be non-symmetrical.
[0054] Reference is now made to FIG. 1A, which illustrates a
downlight to wallwash lens 100 (hereinafter, "lens 100"). The lens
100 includes a body 111 having at least two sides, a light source
facing side 140 (also referred to herein as a "ceiling facing side
140") and a room facing side 150. In some embodiments, the body 111
is configured such that the light source facing side 140 is
substantially opposite the room facing side 150, and in some
embodiments, the body 111 is configured such that the room facing
side 150 and the light source facing side 140 are oriented at an
angle relative to one another, i.e., such that the room facing side
150 and the light source facing side 140 are not substantially
opposite one another. Similarly, in some embodiments, the body 111,
the light source facing side 140, and the room facing side 150 are
all planar, and in some embodiments, only one or more of these are
planar (and thus the others are non-planar), and in some
embodiments, all are non-planar. In some embodiments, portions of
these are non-planar and thus, in some embodiments, one or more
portions of the light source facing side 140 and/or the room facing
side 150 include, for example but not limited to, one or more
facets, ridges, etc.
[0055] In some embodiments, at least one of the room facing side
150 and the light source facing side 140 include a plurality of
optically active regions formed therein. In some embodiments, both
sides of the body 111 each include a plurality of optically active
regions formed therein. In some embodiments, only one or the other
of the room facing side 150 and the light source facing side 140
include a plurality of optically active regions formed therein.
That is, the room facing side 150 and/or the light source facing
side 140 may have or include at least two optically active regions
formed therein. This concept is illustrated in, among other
figures, FIG. 1A, which depicts the room facing side 150 of the
body 111 as having a first optically active region 104 and a second
optically active region 106 formed therein. In some embodiments,
the room facing side 150 of the body 111 optionally includes one or
more optically inactive regions formed therein. This concept is
also illustrated in, among other figures, FIG. 1A, which depicts
the room facing side 150 of the body 111 as having an optically
inactive region 102 formed therein.
[0056] Although FIG. 1A shows the room facing side 150 including
first and second optically active regions 104, 106, it should be
understood that the room facing side 150 of the lenses described
throughout may, and in some embodiments do, include additional
optically active regions as desired. Indeed, the room facing side
150 of the lenses described herein may, and in some embodiments do,
have a plurality of optically active regions formed therein. In
some embodiments the lenses described herein include two, three,
four, or more optically active regions formed in a room facing side
thereof. This concept is illustrated in, among other figures, FIG.
1B, which depicts a downlight to wallwash lens 100' that includes
the elements of lens 100 of FIG. 1A and further includes a third
optically active region 108 formed in the room facing side 150 of
the body 111. Again, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B is for the
sake of example only, and it should be understood that any desired
number of optically active regions may be formed in the room facing
side 150.
[0057] The body 111 is formed of any suitable material, such as but
not limited to polymers, composites, and glasses used in optics.
Non-limiting examples of suitable materials used to form the body
111 include poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), cyclo olefin
copolymers (e.g. ZEONEX.RTM.), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
allyl diglycol carbonate (ADC), urethane polymers such as
TRIVEX.RTM. sold by PPG.RTM. Corp, polycarbonate, glass,
combinations thereof, and the like. Without limitation, the body
111 is preferably formed from poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). As
may be appreciated, use of such materials allows the lenses
described herein to be manufactured via a variety of processes,
including but not limited to stamping, cutting, injection molding,
extrusion, and the like.
[0058] The optically active and inactive regions described herein
(e.g., optically inactive region 102, first optically active region
104, second optically active region 106, third optically active
region 108, etc.) are formed from any suitable material. In some
embodiments, the optically inactive and/or optically active regions
described herein are formed from the same material as the body 111.
Thus for example, when the body 111 of a lens is formed from
polycarbonate, the optically inactive and/or optically active
regions of the lens are, in some embodiments, also formed from
polycarbonate. By way of example, in some embodiments, the
optically inactive and/or optically active regions are formed by
molding, etching, extruding, etc. features of the respective
regions into the body 111. In such instances it may be understood
that such regions are integral with the body 111. Of course, the
present disclosure is not limited to such configurations, and in
some embodiments, one or more of the optically inactive and/or
optically active regions of the lens are formed from a material
that is different from the material that forms the body 111. In
some embodiments, one or more of the optical active regions is
formed by coating liquid polymers on a PET substrate in a mold, and
hardening the liquid polymers (e.g. with UV radiation) once the
mold is brought in contact with the body 111. Depending on the
chosen manufacturing process, the body 111, in some embodiments, is
quite thin (e.g., less than about 50 .mu.m) with significant
flexibility, and in some embodiments, it is relatively thick (e.g.
larger than about 10 mm) and relatively rigid.
[0059] As used herein, the term "optically active" when used in
conjunction with a region of a downlight to wallwash lens means
that the region is configured to redirect incident light rays
received at an incident angle (I) relative to a horizontal plane
parallel to the body 111 of the lens (e.g., the horizontal plane
190 illustrated in, among other figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B), so as to
produce an output ray at an output angle .theta. that differs from
the incident angle (I). In some embodiments, the optically active
regions are configured to redirect incident light rays received at
an angle I so as to produce corresponding output rays at an output
angle .theta., wherein .theta. differs from I by greater than or
equal to 5%. In contrast, the term "optically inactive" when used
in conjunction with a region of a downlight to wallwash lens means
that the region is configured to pass incident light received at an
incident angle (I.sub.i) relative to a horizontal plane of the lens
(e.g., the horizontal plane 190) and produce a corresponding output
ray at an output angle .theta..sub.i, wherein I.sub.i and
.theta..sub.i are substantially the same. In some embodiments, the
downlight to wallwash lenses may include one or more optically
inactive regions that receive incident light rays at an angle
I.sub.i relative to a horizontal plane of the lens, and produce
corresponding output rays at an output angle .theta..sub.i, wherein
.theta..sub.i differs from I.sub.i by less than about 5%.
[0060] The foregoing concept is depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, which
for the sake of example illustrate the ability of the optically
active regions to redirect incident light rays (e.g., rays
105.sub.1, 105.sub.2, 105.sub.3 etc.) emitted from a light source
110, as well as the ability of the optional optically inactive
region(s) to pass incident light rays (e.g., ray 105.sub.i) without
substantially redirecting such rays. For the sake of example and
ease of understanding, the following description assumes that the
light source 110 is a point light source, such as but not limited
to a solid state light source, and illustrates the performance of
the optically active and inactive regions with respect to "nominal"
incident rays emitted by the light source 110 and incident on the
light source facing side 140 of the lens 100, 100'. It should be
understood that such illustration is for the sake of example, and
that the lenses 100, 100' described herein are not limited to the
use of a point light source. Indeed, the present disclosure
envisions embodiments wherein the light source 110 is an extended
light source. In such embodiments it should be understood that
numerous rays may be incident on the light source facing surface
140 of the lenses described herein, and at various incident angles.
In any case, the optically active regions of the lenses described
herein may redirect a substantial portion of the light rays
incident on the light source facing side so as to produce output
light (e.g., including rays 109.sub.1, 109.sub.2, 109.sub.3, etc.)
having an off-axis light distribution.
[0061] It should be noted that various figures illustrate the
optical performance of various regions of the lenses described
herein in the context of rays that are incident at an incident
angle (e.g., I.sub.i, I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, etc.) and the
production of output rays at an output angle (e.g., .THETA.,
.THETA..sub.i, .THETA..sub.1, .THETA..sub.2, .THETA..sub.3, etc.).
For the sake of ease of understanding, the various incident angles
and output angles are often referred to in the singular, as the
example performance of the various regions of the lenses described
herein is explained in the context of a single incident and output
ray. In a real application however, light sources emit a plurality
of incident rays which may be incident on various regions of the
lenses described herein at various incident angles, and the various
regions of the lenses described herein may redirect such incident
rays to produce a plurality of output rays at various output
angles. Thus, while the present disclosure may refer to an incident
and/or an output angle in the singular, such descriptions should be
understood to extend to plural incident and/or output angles, such
as those that may fall within a corresponding range associated with
such angles in the present disclosure.
[0062] When included in the lenses described herein, the optional
optically inactive region(s) 102, in some embodiments, function to
transmit all or a portion of light rays incident thereon without
substantially redirecting such rays. This concept is illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B, which depict a light source 110 as emitting a ray
105 that is incident on a portion of the light source facing side
140 of the body 111 that is substantially opposite the optically
inactive region 102 of the room facing side 150 of the body 111. In
the illustrated embodiments, a ray 105.sub.i is incident on the
light source facing side 140 at an incident angle I.sub.i that is
substantially perpendicular to the surface (not labeled) of the
light source facing side 140. For example, the incident angle
I.sub.i in some embodiments ranges from about 75 to about 105
degrees relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'.
Of course such angles are for the sake of example only, and the
incident angle I.sub.1 may be any suitable angle or range of
angles. In any case, in some embodiments, the ray 105.sub.i
propagates into the body 111 without substantial redirection, e.g.,
due to refraction at the interface of the surface of the light
source facing side 140 and the medium (e.g., air) between the light
source facing side 140 and the light source 110.
[0063] As further shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in some embodiments,
the ray 105.sub.i propagates through the body 111 and the optically
inactive region 102 to emerge from the room facing side 150 of the
lens 100, 100' as an output ray 109.sub.i. The output ray 109.sub.i
emerges from the room facing side 150 within the optically inactive
region 102 at an output angle .THETA..sub.i. In some embodiments,
the output angle .THETA..sub.i is the same or substantially the
same as the incident angle I.sub.i. That is, in some embodiments
the output angle .THETA..sub.i ranges from about 75 to about 115
degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100,
100'. Without limitation, the output angle .THETA..sub.i is
preferably the same or substantially the same as the incident angle
I.sub.i.
[0064] In some embodiments, the optically inactive region 102 is in
the form of a generally flat region of the room facing side 150 of
the body 111. In such embodiments it may be understood that the
optically inactive region 102 lacks external or internal optical
features that alter the direction of light (e.g., the rays
105.sub.i) propagating through the body 111, beyond the intrinsic
optical properties (e.g., refractive index) of the material forming
the optically inactive region 102 itself. This lack of additional
internal or external optical features is one distinction between
the optically inactive region 102 and the optically active regions
formed in the room facing side 150 of the body 111. As will be
described below, the optically active regions (e.g., 104, 106, 108)
of the lenses described herein each include, in some embodiments,
one or more distinct optical features that alter the direction of
light rays incident thereon in a manner beyond that of the
intrinsic optical properties of the material that is used to form
them. The optically active structures in each optically active
region may differ from one another, so as to redirect light
incident thereon to a greater or lesser degree. As may therefore be
appreciated, control over the distribution of light downstream of
the lenses described herein may be achieved by tuning or otherwise
configuring the optically active structures within the optically
active regions such that light incident thereon is redirected in a
desired manner.
[0065] The first optically active region 104 is generally
configured to redirect light incident thereon toward one or more
sides of the lens 100, 100'. For example as shown in FIGS. 1A and
1B, the light source 110 emits a ray 105.sub.1, which may be
incident on the light source facing side 140 of the body 111 at an
incident angle I.sub.i. As illustrated, the incident angle I.sub.1
is less than the incident angle I.sub.i, e.g., due to
fanning/spreading of the light rays emitted by the light source
110, the orientation of the lens 100, 100' relative to the light
source 110, and/or the position of the portion of the light source
facing side 140 that is proximate the first optically active region
104. For example, the incident angle I.sub.1 in some embodiments
ranges from about 45 to about 85 degrees, and in some embodiments
from about 45 to about 75 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane
190 of the lens 100, 100'. Of course such angles are for the sake
of example only, and the incident angle I.sub.1 may be any suitable
angle or range of angles. The ray 105.sub.1 propagates into the
body 111 and is refracted in accordance with the refractive index
of the material forming the portion of the light source facing side
140 that is proximate the first optically active region 104. In
some embodiments, the incident ray (e.g., the ray 105.sub.1) is
refracted in a first direction relative to the horizontal plane 190
of the lens 100, 100'. The resulting refracted ray (not labeled in
FIGS. 1A and 1B) may propagate through the body 111 at an angle
(also not labeled in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and impinge on the first
optically active region 104. More specifically and as will be
described later, the refracted ray may impinge on one or more
optically active structures within the first optically active
region 104. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first optically active
region 104 (or, more specifically, the optically active structures
therein) are configured to redirect the refracted ray incident
thereon so as to produce an output ray 109.sub.1 that exits the
room facing side 150 of the portion of the body 111 corresponding
to the first optically active region 104 at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1.
[0066] In this regard, the first optically active region 104
includes first optically active features that are configured to
redirect at least a portion of light received through the light
source facing side 150 of the body 111 (e.g., the ray 105.sub.1 and
its corresponding refracted ray) via any suitable mechanism, such
as but not limited to refraction, total internal reflection,
diffuse scattering, specular reflection, combinations thereof, and
the like. Without limitation, the first optically active region 104
includes first optically active structures that redirect, via
refraction, at least a portion of light (e.g., the ray 105.sub.1)
received through the light source facing side 140 of the body 111
and incident thereon, so as to produce light (e.g., the output ray
109.sub.1) that is output from the room facing side 150 of the
portion of the body 111 corresponding to the first optically active
region 104 at the output angle .THETA..sub.1. As shown, the output
ray 109.sub.1 may be inclined toward the horizontal plane 190 of
the lens 100, 100' in the same direction as the ray 105.sub.1 was
refracted at the light source facing side 140 of the body 111. That
is, the output ray 109.sub.1 may be inclined at an output angle
.THETA..sub.1 in the first direction relative to the horizontal
plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. The output angle .THETA..sub.1 may
therefore range from greater than 0 to less than 100 degrees,
relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. In some
embodiments, the output angle .THETA..sub.1 ranges from about 15 to
about 85 degrees, from about 30 to about 75 degrees, or from about
45 to about 75 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. Of
course such angles are for the sake of example only, and the output
angle .THETA..sub.1 may be, and in some embodiments is, any
suitable angle or range of angles. It may therefore be appreciated
that at least a portion of the light received through the light
source facing side 140 of the body 111 and incident on the first
optically active region 104 may be redirected towards one side of
the lens 100, 100' (e.g., in the first direction). Moreover as
shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the output angle .THETA..sub.1 is less
than the output angle .THETA..sub.i and thus, the first optically
active region 104 may be understood to generally increase the
amount of light directed towards one side of the lens 100, 100' or
a fixture in which the lens 100, 100' is installed.
[0067] The first optically active structures used in the first
optically active region 104 may be or include any known type of
optical feature, such as but not limited to a refractive feature, a
reflective feature, a collimating feature, combinations thereof,
and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable optically active
structures that may be used as first optically active structures in
the first optically active region 104 include particles, teeth,
grooves, curves, microstructures, prisms, lenslets, lenticular
arrays, combinations thereof, and the like, any of which may be
configured to redirect incident light via refraction, scattering,
specular reflection, total internal reflection, combinations
thereof, and the like. Without limitation, the first optically
active region 104 includes first optically active structures in the
form of teeth that are configured to redirect, via refraction, at
least a portion of light received through the light source facing
side 140 of the body 111 and which is incident thereon. In this
regard reference is made to FIG. 2, which depicts one example of a
first optically active region 104 that includes first optically
active features 1040.sub.1 in the form of a plurality of teeth. In
FIG. 2, each of the optically active features 1040.sub.1 includes a
first surface 1041.sub.1 and a second surface 1042.sub.1, wherein
the first surface 1041.sub.1 is oriented towards the body 111 in a
first direction, and the second surface 1042.sub.1 is oriented
towards the body 111 in a second direction that is substantially
opposite the first direction. More specifically, the first surface
1041.sub.1 is oriented towards the horizontal plane 190 of the body
111 in a first direction and the second surface 1042.sub.1 is
oriented towards the horizontal plane 190 of the body 111 in a
second direction that is substantially opposite the first
direction.
[0068] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the ray 105.sub.1 emitted from
the light source 110 (not labeled in FIG. 2) may impinge on the
light source facing side 140 (not labeled in FIG. 2) at an angle
I.sub.1. As discussed above, the ray 105.sub.1 may be refracted at
the interface of the light source facing side 140 and the
surrounding medium. The resulting refracted ray 1043.sub.1 may then
propagate within the body 111 at angle, which may be determined
using Snell's law. The refracted ray 1043.sub.1 may then impinge on
the first surface 1041.sub.1 of the first optically active features
1040.sub.1 at an angle that is less than the critical angle. As a
result, the refracted ray 1043.sub.1 may be refracted at the
interface of the first surface 1041.sub.1 and the surrounding
medium. The resulting output ray 109.sub.1 may be output at an
output angle .THETA..sub.1 that is inclined toward the body 111
(or, more specifically, the horizontal plane 190) in a first
direction as discussed above. As may be appreciated, the output
angle .THETA..sub.1 may be influenced by the angle of the first
surface 1041.sub.1. It may therefore be desirable to set or control
the angle of the first surface 1041.sub.1 relative to the
horizontal plane 190 of the body 111, so that rays refracted at the
interface between the first surface 1041.sub.1 and the surrounding
medium (e.g., air) may be output at a desired output angle
.THETA..sub.1. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 2, the first
surface 1041.sub.1 is inclined toward the horizontal plane 190 of
the body 111 in a first direction and at an angle A.sub.1, which
ranges, in some embodiments, from greater than or equal to about 15
to less than or equal to about 90 degrees relative to the
horizontal plane 190. In some embodiments, the angle A.sub.1 ranges
from about 20 to about 70 degrees, or from about 30 to about 60
degrees, or from about 40 to about 60 degrees, relative to the
horizontal plane 190. In some embodiments, the first surface
1041.sub.1 is angled toward the body 111 (or, more specifically,
toward the horizontal plane 190) in a first direction at the angle
A.sub.1, wherein the angle A.sub.1 is about 40 to about 50 degrees,
such as about 45 degrees. Of course such angles are for the sake of
example only, and the angle A.sub.1 may be any suitable angle or
range of angles.
[0069] As noted above and further shown in FIG. 2, the second
surface 1042.sub.1 of the first optically active structures
1040.sub.1 are oriented towards the body 111 (or, more
specifically, towards the horizontal plane 190) in a second
direction and at an angle Q.sub.1. Although the angle Q.sub.1 may
be any suitable value, in some embodiments it may be desirable to
set the angle Q.sub.1 so as to permit all or a portion of the
output rays 109.sub.1 to propagate into the field downstream of the
lens 100, 100' without impinging on the second surface 1042.sub.1.
This concept is illustrated in FIG. 2, which depicts the output
rays 109.sub.1 as propagating into the field downstream of the lens
100, 100' without impinging on the second surface 1042.sub.1. In
this regard, the angle Q.sub.1, in some embodiments, ranges from
about 60 to about 90 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190.
In some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.1 ranges from about 70 to
about 110 degrees, from about 80 to about 100 degrees, or from
about 85 to about 95 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190.
In some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.1 ranges from about 85 to less
than 110 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. Of course
such angles are for the sake of example only, and the angle Q.sub.1
may be any suitable angle or range of angles. Alternatively or
additionally, in some embodiments Q.sub.1 is substantially equal to
an angle R.sub.1 between the refracted ray 1043.sub.1 and the
horizontal plane 190. That is, in some embodiments the angle
Q.sub.1 may differ from the angle R.sub.1 by less than or equal to
about 10%, and in some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.1 is equal or
substantially equal to the angle R.sub.1.
[0070] Like the first optically active region 104, the second
optically active region 106 is generally configured to redirect
light incident thereon toward one or more sides of the lens 100,
100'. For example as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the light source 110
emits a ray 105.sub.2 that may be incident on the light source
facing side 140 of the body 111 at an incident angle I.sub.2. As
illustrated, the incident angle I.sub.2 may be less than the
incident angle I.sub.1, which in turn may be less than the incident
angle I.sub.i. This difference may be attributable, for example,
due to fanning/spreading of the light rays emitted by the light
source 110, the orientation of the lens 100, 100' relative to the
light source 110, and/or the position of the portion of the light
source facing side 140 that is proximate the second optically
active region 106. For example, the incident angle I.sub.1 in some
embodiments ranges from about 25 to about 65 degrees, about 30 to
about 60 degrees, or about 30 to about 45 degrees, relative to the
horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. Of course such angles
are for the sake of example only, and the incident angle I.sub.1
may be any suitable angle or range of angles. The incident angle
I.sub.2 of the ray 105.sub.2 may be such that the exit ray
109.sub.2 will not be total internally reflected. As a result, the
ray 105.sub.2 may propagate into the body 111 and be refracted in
accordance with the refractive index of the material forming the
portion of the light source facing side 140 that is proximate the
second optically active region 106. In some embodiments and as
illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3, the incident ray (e.g., the ray
105.sub.2) is refracted in the same direction as the ray 105.sub.1,
i.e., in a first direction relative to the horizontal plane 190 of
the lens 100, 100'. The resulting refracted ray (not labeled in
FIGS. 1A and 1B) may propagate through the body 111 at an angle
(also not labeled in FIGS. 1A and 1B) and impinge on the second
optically active region 106. More specifically and as will be
described later, the refracted ray may impinge on one or more
optically active structures within the second optically active
region 106. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the second optically
active region 106 (or, more specifically, the optically active
structures therein) may be configured to redirect the refracted ray
incident thereon so as to produce an output ray 109.sub.2 that
exits the room facing side 150 of the portion of the body 111
corresponding to the second optically active region 106 at an angle
.THETA..sub.2.
[0071] In this regard, the second optically active region 106
includes second optically active features that are configured to
redirect at least a portion of light received through the light
source facing side 150 of the body 111 (e.g., the ray 105.sub.2 and
its corresponding refracted ray) via any suitable physical
mechanism, such as but not limited to refraction, total internal
reflection, diffuse scattering, specular reflection, combinations
thereof, and the like. Without limitation, the second optically
active region 106 preferably includes second optically active
structures that redirect, at least in part via total internal
reflection, at least a portion of light (e.g., the ray 105.sub.2)
received through the light source facing side 140 of the body 111
and incident thereon, so as to produce light (e.g., the output ray
109.sub.2) that is output from the room facing side 150 of the
portion of the body 111 corresponding to the second optically
active region 106 at an angle .THETA..sub.2.
[0072] As further shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the output ray
109.sub.2 may be inclined toward the horizontal plane 190 of the
lens 100, 100' in the same direction as the ray 105.sub.2 was
refracted at the light source facing side 140 of the body 111. That
is, the output ray 109.sub.2 may be inclined at an angle
.THETA..sub.2 in the first direction relative to the horizontal
plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. the output angle .THETA..sub.2 may
therefore range from greater than 0 to less than 90 degrees,
relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. In some
embodiments, the output angle .THETA..sub.2 ranges from about 15 to
about 85 degrees, from about 30 to about 75 degrees, or from about
45 to about 75 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. Of
course such angles are for the sake of example only, and the output
angle .THETA..sub.2 may be any suitable angle or range of angles.
It may therefore be appreciated that at least a portion of the
light received through the light source facing side 140 of the body
111 and incident on the second optically active region 106 may be
redirected towards one side of the lens 100, 100' (e.g., in the
first direction). Moreover as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the output
angle .THETA..sub.2 may be less than the output angle
.THETA..sub.1, which as noted above may be less than the output
angle .THETA..sub.i. By way of example, in some embodiments the
output angle .THETA..sub.1 ranges from about 45 to about 75 degrees
relative to the horizontal plane 190, and the output angle
.THETA..sub.2 ranges from about 30 to about 60 degrees relative to
the horizontal plane 190. Thus, it may be understood that like the
first optically active region 104, the second optically active
region 106 may be configured to increase the amount of light
directed towards one side of the lens or a fixture in which the
lens is installed. Thus, when the lens 100, 100' is installed in a
downlight fixture including a light source that is installed in a
ceiling proximate to a wall to be illuminated, the first optically
active region 104 redirects light output from the light source to a
first portion of the wall, whereas the second optically active
region 106 redirects light to a second portion of the wall, wherein
the second portion is located higher on the wall than then the
first portion.
[0073] The second optically active structures used in the second
optically active region 106 may be or include any known type of
optical feature, such as but not limited to a refractive feature, a
reflective feature, a collimating feature, combinations thereof,
and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable optically active
structures that may be used as second optically active structures
in the second optically active region 106 include particles, teeth,
grooves, curves, microstructures, prisms, lenslets, lenticular
arrays, combinations thereof, and the like, any of which may be
configured to redirect incident light via refraction, scattering,
specular reflection, total internal reflection, combinations
thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the second optically
active region 106 includes second optically active structures in
the form of teeth that are configured to redirect, at least in part
via total internal reflection, at least a portion of light received
through the light source facing side 140 of the body 111 and which
is incident thereon. In this regard reference is made to FIG. 3,
which depicts one example of a second optically active region 106
that includes second optically active features 1040.sub.2 in the
form of a plurality of teeth. In FIG. 3, each of the second
optically active features 1040.sub.2 includes a first surface
1041.sub.2 and a second surface 1042.sub.2, wherein the first
surface 1041.sub.2 is oriented towards the body 111 in a first
direction, and the second surface 1042.sub.2 is oriented towards
the body 111 in a second direction that is substantially opposite
the first direction. More specifically, in some embodiments, the
first surface 1041.sub.2 is oriented towards the horizontal plane
190 of the body 111 in a first direction and the second surface
1042.sub.2 is oriented towards the horizontal plane 190 of the body
111 in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first
direction. In FIG. 3, the ray 105.sub.2 emitted from the light
source 110 (not labeled in FIG. 3) impinges on the light source
facing side 140 (also not labeled in FIG. 3) at an angle I.sub.2.
As discussed above, the ray 105.sub.2 may be refracted at the
interface of the light source facing side 140 and the surrounding
medium. The resulting refracted ray 1043.sub.2 may then propagate
within the body 111 at an angle that may be determined using
Snell's law. The refracted ray 1043.sub.2 may then impinge on the
first surface 1041.sub.2 of the second optically active features
1040.sub.2 at an angle that is greater than the critical angle. As
a result, the refracted ray 1043.sub.2 may be reflected at the
interface between the first surface 1041.sub.2 and the surrounding
medium (e.g., air). The reflected ray (not labeled) may then
propagate further through the second optically active feature
1040.sub.2 and impinge on the second surface 1042.sub.2 thereof and
at an angle that is less than the critical angle. As a result, the
reflected ray may propagate through and be refracted at the
interface of the second surface 1042.sub.2 and the surrounding
medium to produce an output ray 109.sub.2 at an output angle
.THETA..sub.2.
[0074] As may be appreciated, the output angle .THETA..sub.2 may be
influenced by the angle of the first surface 1041.sub.2. It may
therefore be desirable to set or control the angle of the first
surface 1041.sub.2 relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the body
111, so that rays reflected at the interface between the first
surface 1041.sub.2 and the surrounding medium (e.g., air) may
impinge on the second surface 1042.sub.2 at a desired angle,
resulting in the production of an output ray 109.sub.2 at a desired
angle or range of angles .THETA..sub.2. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3,
the first surface 1042.sub.2 is inclined toward the horizontal
plane 190 of the body 111 in a first direction, and at an angle
A.sub.2 that exceeds the critical angle of at least some of the
rays incident thereon. Thus for example, in some embodiments, the
angle A.sub.2 ranges from about 70 to about 90 degrees, from about
80 to about 90 degrees, from about 82 to about 90 degrees, or from
about 85 to about 90 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190.
In some embodiments, the angle A.sub.2 is about 87 degrees relative
to the horizontal plane 190. Of course such angles are for the sake
of example only, and the angle A.sub.2 may be any suitable angle or
range of angles. As noted above and further shown in FIG. 3, the
second surface 1042.sub.2 of the second optically active structures
1040.sub.2 is oriented towards the body 111 (or, more specifically,
towards the horizontal plane 190) in a second direction and at an
angle Q.sub.2. Although the angle Q.sub.2 may be any suitable
value, in some embodiments it may be desirable to set the angle
Q.sub.2 so as to permit all or a portion of the output rays
109.sub.2 to propagate into the field downstream of the lens 100,
100' without impinging on another one of the second optically
active features 1040.sub.2. This concept is illustrated in FIG. 3,
which depicts the output rays 109.sub.2 as propagating into the
field downstream of the lens 100, 100' without impinging on another
one of the second optically active features 1040.sub.2. Thus, in
some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.2 ranges from about 60 to about
90 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. In some
embodiments, the angle Q.sub.2 ranges from about 40 to about 80
degrees, from about 45 to about 75 degrees, or from about 50 to
about 70 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. In some
embodiments, the angle Q.sub.2 ranges from about 45 to about 75
degrees, and in some embodiments is about 60 degrees, relative to
the horizontal plane 190. Of course such angles are for the sake of
example only, and the angle Q.sub.2 may be any suitable angle or
range of angles. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments
the angle Q.sub.2 is substantially equal to an angle R.sub.2
between the refracted ray 1043.sub.2 and the horizontal plane 190.
That is, in some embodiments the angle Q.sub.2 differs from the
angle R.sub.2 by less than or equal to about 10%, and in some
embodiments, the angle Q.sub.2 is equal or substantially equal to
R.sub.2.
[0075] As noted above, in some embodiments the lenses described
herein may include a third optically active region 108. Like the
first and second optically active regions 104, 106, the third
optically active region 108 is generally configured to redirect
light incident thereon toward one or more sides of the lens 100,
100'. For example as shown in FIG. 1B, the light source 110 may
emit a ray 105.sub.3 that may be incident on the light source
facing side 140 of the body 111 at an incident angle I.sub.3. As
illustrated, the incident angle I.sub.3 may be less than the
incident angle I.sub.2, which as noted above may be less than the
incident angle I.sub.i, which in turn may be less than the incident
angle I.sub.i. That is, the following relationship may be met in
such embodiments: I.sub.3<I.sub.2<I.sub.1<I.sub.i. In some
embodiments, the incident angle I.sub.3 ranges from greater than 0
to about 45 degrees, from about 5 to about 30 degrees, or from
about 10 to about 30 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190.
As noted previously, this difference may be attributable, for
example, due to fanning/spreading of the light rays emitted by the
light source 110, the orientation of the lens 100, 100' relative to
the light source 110, and/or the position of the portion of the
light source facing side 140 that is proximate the third optically
active region 108. The ray 105.sub.3 may propagate into the body
111 and be refracted in accordance with the refractive index of the
material forming the portion of the light source facing side 140
that is proximate the third optically active region 108. In some
embodiments and as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 4, the incident ray
(e.g., the ray 105.sub.3) is refracted in the same direction as the
rays 105.sub.1 and 105.sub.2, i.e., in a first direction relative
to the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. The resulting
refracted ray (not labeled in FIG. 1B) may propagate through the
body 111 at an angle (also not labeled in FIG. 1B) and impinge on
the third optically active region 108. More specifically and as
will be described later, the refracted ray may impinge on one or
more optically active structures within the third optically active
region 108. As shown in FIG. 1B, the third optically active region
108 (or, more specifically, the optically active structures
therein) may be configured to redirect the refracted ray incident
thereon so as to produce an output ray 109.sub.3 that exits the
room facing side 150 of the portion of the body 111 corresponding
to the third optically active region 108 at an angle .THETA..sub.3.
In this regard, the third optically active region 108 may include
third optically active features that are configured to redirect at
least a portion of light received through the light source facing
side 150 of the body 111 (e.g., ray 105.sub.3 and its corresponding
refracted ray) via any suitable physical mechanism, such as but not
limited to refraction, total internal reflection, diffuse
scattering, specular reflection, combinations thereof, and the
like. In some embodiments, the third optically active region 108
includes third optically active structures that redirect, at least
in part via total internal reflection, at least a portion of light
(e.g., the ray 105.sub.3) received through the light source facing
side 140 of the body 111 and incident thereon, so as to produce
light (e.g., the output ray 109.sub.3) that is output from the room
facing side 150 of the portion of the body 111 corresponding to the
third optically active region 108 at an angle .THETA..sub.3.
[0076] As shown, the output ray 109.sub.3 may be inclined toward
the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100' in the same
direction as the ray 105.sub.3 was refracted at the light source
facing side 140 of the body 111. That is, the output ray 109.sub.3
may be inclined at an angle .THETA..sub.3 in the first direction
relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. The
output angle .THETA..sub.3, in some embodiments, ranges from
greater than 0 to less than 90 degrees, relative to the horizontal
plane 190 of the lens 100, 100'. In some embodiments, the output
angle .THETA..sub.2 ranges from about 15 to about 85 degrees, from
about 30 to about 75 degrees, or from about 45 to about 75 degrees,
relative to the horizontal plane 190. Of course such angles are for
the sake of example only, and the output angle .THETA..sub.3 may be
any suitable angle or range of angles. It may therefore be
appreciated that at least a portion of the light received through
the light source facing side 140 of the body 111 and incident on
the third optically active region 108 may be redirected towards one
side of the lens 100, 100' (e.g., in the first direction). Moreover
as shown in FIG. 1B, the output angle .THETA..sub.3 may be less
than the output angle .THETA..sub.2, which may be less than the
output angle .THETA..sub.1, which as noted above may be less than
the output angle .THETA..sub.i. That is, in some embodiments the
following relationship is met:
.THETA..sub.3<.THETA..sub.2<.THETA..sub.1<.THETA..sub.i.
By way of example, in some embodiments the output angle
.THETA..sub.2 ranges from about 30 to about 60 degrees relative to
the horizontal plane 190, and the output angle .THETA..sub.3 ranges
from greater than 0 to less than 30, or from about 5 to about 25
degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. In still further
embodiments, the output angle .THETA..sub.1 ranges from greater
than about 60 to about 80 degrees, the output angle .THETA..sub.2
ranges from about 30 to less than about 60 degrees, and the output
angle .THETA..sub.3 ranges from greater than 0 to less than about
30 degrees. Thus, it may be understood that like the first and
second optically active regions 104, 106, the third optically
active region 108 may be configured to increase the amount of light
directed towards one side of the lens or a fixture in which the
lens is installed. Thus, when the lens 100' is installed in a
downlight fixture including a light source that is installed in a
ceiling proximate a wall to be illuminated, the first optically
active region 104 may redirect light output from the light source
to a first portion of the wall, the second optically active region
106 may redirect light to a second portion of the wall, and the
third optically active region 108 may redirect light to a third
portion of the wall, wherein the third portion is located higher on
the wall than the second portion and the second portion is located
higher on the wall than then the first portion.
[0077] The third optically active structures used in the third
optically active region 108 may be or include any known type of
optical feature, such as but not limited to a refractive feature, a
reflective feature, a collimating feature, combinations thereof,
and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable optically active
structures that may be used as third optically active structures in
the third optically active region 108 include particles, teeth,
grooves, curves, microstructures, prisms, lenslets, lenticular
arrays, combinations thereof, and the like, any of which may be
configured to redirect incident light via refraction, scattering,
specular reflection, total internal reflection, combinations
thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the third optically
active region 108 includes third optically active structures in the
form of teeth that are configured to redirect, at least in part via
total internal reflection, at least a portion of light received
through the light source facing side 140 of the body 111 and which
is incident thereon. In some embodiments, the third optically
active features include a plurality of multi-angle teeth. In this
regard reference is made to FIG. 4, which depicts one example of a
third optically active region 108 that includes third optically
active features 1040.sub.3 in the form of a plurality of
multi-angle teeth. In FIG. 4, each of the third optically active
features 1040.sub.3 includes a plurality of first surfaces
1044.sub.n, i.e., a first surface 1044.sub.1, a first surface
1044.sub.2, a first surface 1044.sub.3, and so on. It should be
noted that for the sake of clarity and ease of understanding, FIG.
4 depicts an embodiment in which the third optically active
features 1040.sub.3 include a plurality of multi-angle teeth that
include three first surfaces. Such illustration is for the sake of
example only, and it should be understood that any suitable number
of first surfaces (such as but not limited to four, five, six,
seven, and so on) may be and in some embodiments are used when the
third optically active features 1040.sub.3 are in the form of
multi-angle teeth. In addition to a plurality of first surfaces
1044.sub.n, the multi-angle teeth of the third optically active
features 1040.sub.3 described herein may include a second surface
1042.sub.3, as also shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, one or
more surfaces of the third optically active features 1040.sub.3 may
be or include a continuous surface that may be described by splines
or other mathematical functions (e.g., higher order polynomials),
instead of or in addition to the faceted surfaces shown in FIG.
4.
[0078] As further shown in FIG. 4, each of the first surfaces
1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3 is oriented towards the body 111
in a first direction, and the second surface 1042.sub.3 is oriented
towards the body 111 in a second direction that is substantially
opposite the first direction. More specifically, each of the first
surfaces 1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3 may be oriented towards
the horizontal plane 190 of the body 111 in a first direction and
the second surface 1042.sub.3 may be oriented towards the
horizontal plane 190 of the body 111 in a second direction that is
substantially opposite the first direction. Again, the surface
1042.sub.3 in some embodiments may be or include faceted first
surfaces as well as continuous (e.g., non-faceted) surfaces. In
FIG. 4, the ray 105.sub.3 emitted from the light source 110 (not
labeled in FIG. 4) may impinge on the light source facing side 140
(also not labeled in FIG. 4) at an incident angle I.sub.3. As
discussed above, the ray 105.sub.3 may be refracted at the
interface of the light source facing side 140 and the surrounding
medium. The resulting refracted ray 1043.sub.3 may then propagate
within the body 111 at an angle that may be determined using
Snell's law. The refracted ray 1043.sub.3 may then impinge on one
or more of the first surfaces 1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3.
For the sake of clarity and ease of understanding, FIG. 4 only
depicts the refracted ray 1043.sub.3 as impinging on the first
surface 1044.sub.3, but it should be understood that other
refracted rays may impinge on the other first surfaces of third
optically active features 1040.sub.3. As shown in FIG. 4, the
refracted ray 1043.sub.3 impinges on the first surface 1044.sub.3
of the third optically active features 1040.sub.3 at an angle that
is greater than the critical angle. As a result, the refracted ray
1043.sub.3 may be reflected at the interface between the first
surface 1044.sub.3 and the surrounding medium (e.g., air). The
reflected ray (not labeled) may then propagate further through the
second optically active feature 1040.sub.3 and impinge on the
second surface 1042.sub.3 thereof and at an angle that is less than
the critical angle. As a result, the reflected ray may propagate
through and be refracted at the interface of the second surface
1042.sub.3 and the surrounding medium to produce an output ray
109.sub.3 at an angle .THETA..sub.3. Other refracted rays may also
impinge on first surfaces 1044.sub.2 and 1044.sub.1 at greater than
the critical angle, and therefore may be reflected at the interface
between the first surface 1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2 and the
surrounding medium (e.g., air). The resulting reflected rays may
then propagate further through the second optically active feature
1040.sub.3 and impinge on the second surface 1042.sub.3 thereof and
at an angle that is less than the critical angle. As a result, the
reflected ray may propagate through and be refracted at the
interface of the second surface 1042.sub.3 and the surrounding
medium to produce an output ray 109.sub.3 at an output angle or
range of output angles .THETA..sub.3.
[0079] As may be appreciated, the output angle .THETA..sub.3 of the
output rays may be influenced by the angle of the first surfaces
1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3. It may therefore be desirable
to set or control the angle of each of the first surfaces
1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3, relative to one another and/or
to the horizontal plane 190. In this way, the angle at which rays
reflected at the interface between the first surfaces 1044.sub.1,
1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3 may be controlled so that the resulting
reflected rays may impinge on the second surface 1042.sub.3 at a
desired angle, resulting in the production of output rays 109.sub.3
that are output at a desired output angle or range of output angles
.THETA..sub.3.
[0080] In this regard, as shown in FIG. 4, the first surfaces
1044.sub.1, 1044.sub.2, 1044.sub.3 may be inclined toward the
horizontal plane 190 of the body 111 in a first direction. In FIG.
4, the first surface 1044.sub.1 is oriented at an angle A.sub.3'',
the first surface 1044.sub.2 is oriented at an Angle A.sub.3', and
the first surface 1044.sub.3 is oriented at an angle A.sub.3,
relative to the horizontal plane 190 of the body 111. In some
embodiments, the angles A.sub.3, A.sub.3', and A.sub.3'' are set
such that at least some of the refracted rays are incident thereon
at an angle that exceeds the critical angle, and thus are total
internally reflected to produce output rays emitted in the first
direction. As may be appreciated, the majority of rays incident on
these surfaces and that are less than the critical angle (not
shown) may still be refracted toward a preferred exit direction.
With this in mind, in some embodiments, the angle A.sub.3 ranges
from less than 90 to about 70 degrees, the angle A.sub.3' ranges
from about 70 degrees to about 30 degrees, and the angle A.sub.3''
ranges from greater than 0 to about 30 degrees, relative to the
horizontal plane 190. Of course, such angles are for the sake of
example only, and the angles A.sub.3, A.sub.3', and A.sub.3'' may
be any suitable angle or range of angles.
[0081] While the present disclosure focuses on embodiments in which
multi-angle teeth having a plurality of distinct first surfaces are
used as third optically active structures, it should be understood
that the structure of the third optically active structures is not
limited to multi-angle teeth having distinct first surfaces.
Indeed, the present disclosure envisions embodiments in which a
third optically active region includes third optically active
structures that are in the form of teeth having first and second
sides, wherein the first side is a curved or irregular surface. In
some embodiments, the third optically active structures include
teeth that include a first surface that is continuously curved from
a tip thereof to a base thereof.
[0082] Returning to FIG. 4, the second surface 1042.sub.3 of the
third optically active structures 1040.sub.3 may be oriented
towards the body 111 (or, more specifically, towards the horizontal
plane 190) in a second direction and at an angle Q.sub.3. Although
the angle Q.sub.3 may be any suitable value, in some embodiments it
may be desirable to set the angle Q.sub.3 so as to permit all or a
portion of the output rays 109.sub.3 to propagate into the field
downstream of the lens 100, 100' without impinging on another one
of the third optically active features 1040.sub.3. This concept is
illustrated in FIG. 4, which depicts the output rays 109.sub.3 as
propagating into the field downstream of the lens 100, 100' without
impinging on another one of the third optically active features
1040.sub.3. In this regard, the angle Q.sub.3, in some embodiments,
ranges from about 60 to about 90 degrees, relative to the
horizontal plane 190. In some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.3 ranges
from about 60 to about 85 degrees, from about 60 to about 80
degrees, or from about 60 to about 75 degrees, relative to the
horizontal plane 190. In some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.3 is
about 75 degrees, relative to the horizontal plane 190. Of course
such angles are for the sake of example only, and the angle Q.sub.3
may be any suitable angle or range of angles. Alternatively or
additionally, in some embodiments, the angle Q.sub.3 is
substantially equal to an angle R.sub.3 between the refracted ray
1043.sub.3 and the horizontal plane 190. That is, in some
embodiments, the angle Q.sub.3 may differ from the angle R.sub.3 by
less than or equal to about 5%, and in some embodiments, the angle
Q.sub.3 is equal to the angle R.sub.3.
[0083] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5G, which depict various
views of an example downlight to wallwash lens 200' as described
throughout. As best shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, the downlight to
wallwash lens 200' may be formed in a geometric shape such as but
not limited an ellipse, a circle, a triangle, a quadrilateral
(e.g., a square, a rectangle, etc.), as desired. Without
limitation, the downlight to wallwash lens 200' is sized and shaped
to fit within an aperture of a housing of a lighting fixture, such
as but not limited to a downlight. In FIGS. 5A-5G, the downlight to
wallwash lens 200' has a generally oval or ellipsoidal shape. The
body (not labeled) of the downlight to wallwash lens 200' includes
a top 170 and a bottom 160. As shown, an optically inactive region
102 is formed in the body of the downlight to wallwash lens 200' in
a region proximate the top 170. The optical performance of the
optically inactive region 102 is the same as previously described
in connection with FIGS. 1A and 1B, and therefore is not reiterated
for the sake of brevity. In addition to the optically inactive
region 102, the downlight to wallwash lens 200' includes a
plurality of optically active regions formed in the room facing
side 150 thereof. In particular, the downlight to wallwash lens
200' includes a first optically active region 104, a second
optically active region 106, and a third optically active region
108. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5D, and 5E, the first
optically active region 104 is formed adjacent the optically
inactive region 102. In particular, the first optically active
region 104 includes a first side 501 that is adjacent a side (not
labeled) of the optically inactive region 102. As such, the first
side 501 of the first optically active region 104 is offset from
the top 170 of the downlight to wallwash lens 200'. The first
optically active region 104 includes first optically active
structures, such as those described above in connection with FIG.
2, which redirect, via refraction, at least a portion of the light
incident thereon towards the top 170 of the body at an output angle
or range of output angles .theta..sub.1 (not shown in FIGS. 5A-5G,
but shown in FIG. 6), relative to a horizontal plane (also shown in
FIG. 6) of the downlight to wallwash lens 200'. As further shown in
FIGS. 5A-5G, the second optically active region 106 is positioned
within the room facing side 150 at a location that is proximate the
first optically active region 104. More specifically, the second
optically active region 106 in this embodiment includes a first
side 503 that is proximate (e.g., adjacent to or shared with) a
second side 502 of the first optically active region 104. The
second side 502 of the first optically active region 104 is
substantially opposite the first side 501 of the first optically
active region 104. The second optically active region 106 includes
second optically active structures, such as those described above
in connection with FIG. 3, which redirect, at least in part via
total internal reflection, at least a portion of light incident
thereon towards the top 170 of the body at an output angle or range
of output angles .theta..sub.2, wherein the output angle
.theta..sub.2 is less than the output angle .theta..sub.1, as shown
in FIG. 6. The third optically active region 108 is positioned
within the room facing side 150 between the bottom 160 and a second
side 504 of the second optically active region 106. More
specifically, the third optically active region 108 includes a
first side 505 that is proximate (e.g., adjacent to or shared with)
the second side 504 of the second optically active region 106. The
second side 504 of the second optically active region 106 is
substantially opposite the first side 503 of the second optically
active region 106. Moreover, the third optically active region 108
includes a second side 506 that is proximate the bottom 160 of the
downlight to wallwash lens 200'. The third optically active region
108 includes third optically active structures, such as those
described above in connection with FIG. 4, which redirect, at least
in part via total internal reflection, at least a portion of light
incident thereon towards the top 170 of the body at an output angle
or range of output angles .theta..sub.3, wherein the output angle
.theta..sub.3<the output angle .theta..sub.2<the output angle
.theta..sub.1, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0084] In some embodiments, the downlight to wallwash lenses
described herein also include one or more coupling members. In
general, the coupling members are configured to be receivably
engaged by a receiving member of a lighting fixture, such as but
not limited to a downlight. For example, where a downlight includes
a housing including one or more receiving members, the coupling
members of the lenses described herein may be configured to be
receivably engaged by the receiving members, such that the lens is
retained within the housing. This concept of coupling members is
illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5C-5G, and 7B-11, which depict various
example downlight to wallwash lenses that include one or more of a
top coupling member 171 and a bottom coupling member 161.
[0085] As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the downlight to wallwash
lenses described herein may be inclined toward an axis, such as an
axis 1106, 1206 that extends perpendicularly through an aperture
1103, 1203 of a housing 1101 of a lighting system 1100, 1200.
Alternatively or additionally, the downlight to wallwash lens is
inclined to a central axis of a downlight in which the downlight to
wallwash lens is placed. In some embodiments, inclining the
downlight to wallwash lenses in this manner may provide two
benefits. First, as seen in FIGS. 1A-4 and 6, by inclining the
downlight to wallwash lenses in this manner, the refraction of
incident light at the light source facing side proximate to the
first, second and third optically active regions begins to incline
light toward one side of the lens, e.g., in a first direction.
Second, by inclining the downlight to wallwash lens in this manner,
the optically active structures of each of the first, second and
third optically active region may further bend the light towards
the first direction, and the output rays produced by one optically
active structure may be less obstructed or not obstructed by other
optically active structures that are closer to the first side.
Although various figures show the downlight to wallwash lenses of
the present disclosure as inclined toward a light source, axis,
etc., inclining the downlight to wallwash lenses in this manner is
not required. Indeed, the present disclosure includes embodiments
in which the downlight to wallwash lenses described herein are
oriented such that their room facing side and light source facing
side are substantially perpendicular to an axis, such as an axis of
a light source, an axis of an aperture of a housing, etc.
[0086] In addition to the features associated with the room facing
side 150 discussed above, in some embodiments the downlight to
wallwash lenses described herein include one or more optically
active regions formed in the light source facing side thereof. This
concept is generally illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7E, which depict
various views of a downlight to wallwash lens 300, which includes a
light source facing side 140 with an optically active region 205
that includes optically active structures 220. Although only one
optically active region 205 is depicted in FIGS. 7A-7E, it should
be understood that any number of optically active regions may be
formed on the light source facing side 140 of the downlight to
wallwash lens 300. In some embodiments, the features of the
optically active region 205 have a circular cross section and are
cylindrical in shape. Alternatively or additionally, in some
embodiments, such features are straight sided in cross-section and
prismatic in shape. Although various of the figures illustrate the
optically active structures on both sides of the lens as being
one-dimensional, such illustration is for the sake of example only.
It should be understood that such features may also be, and in some
embodiments are, in the form of two-dimensional structures.
Likewise it should be understood that such features, in some
embodiments, also include or are used in conjunction with a surface
texture, e.g., to refract or scatter light at the surface of the
structure. In such embodiments the surface texture, acting along or
together with optically active features (e.g., embedded in the
lens), may help to reduce or minimize the fine structures of the
light, if needed.
[0087] In FIGS. 7A-7E, the plurality of optically active structures
205 functions to widen the light distribution that goes toward one
side (e.g., towards the top) of the downlight to wallwash lens 300
(e.g., toward the upper end of a wall to be illuminated by a
fixture in which the lens is installed). In FIGS. 7A-7E, the
optically active region 205 and the plurality of optically active
structures 220 are located centrally and to one side (e.g. the
bottom) of the ceiling facing side 140 of the downlight to wallwash
lens 300, and in a direction that is perpendicular to that of one
or more of the first optically active region 104, second optically
active region 106, and third optically active region 108. More
particularly, the optically active structures 220 are located
behind a portion of the third optically active region 108, a
portion of the second optically active region 106, and a
(relatively smaller) portion of the first optically active region
102. Although the optically active region 205 in FIGS. 7A-7E does
not extend behind the optically active region 104, it should be
understood that in some embodiments it may extend behind the
optically active region 104 if desired. Moreover, in some
embodiments, the optically active region 205 is positioned on the
light source facing side 140 such that it does not coincide with
all or a portion of the optically inactive region 102, the first
optically active region 104, the second optically active region
106, and the third optically active region 108. Moreover, the
optically active structures 220, in some embodiments, are oriented
in a direction other than perpendicular to the first, second, and
third optically active regions 104, 106, 108.
[0088] In FIGS. 7A-E, the optically active structures 205 are in
the form of a plurality of V-shaped grooves, which have a defined
width and depth such as, but not limited to, about 4 mm to about 10
mm wide, in some embodiments about 6 mm wide, and about 1 mm to
about 5 mm deep, in some embodiments about 2.5 mm deep). Though
five V-shaped grooves are shown in FIGS. 7A-7E, embodiments are not
so limited and the optically active structures 205, in some
embodiments, include any number of shapes, any type of shapes, and
combinations thereof. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a
downlight to wallwash lens 300' includes an optically active region
205' on the light source facing side 140 thereof, wherein the
optically active region 205' includes optically active structures
220' in the form of a plurality of rounded grooves. Similarly,
FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another downlight to wallwash lens 300''
that includes an optically active region 205'' on the light source
facing side 140 thereof, wherein the optically active region 205''
includes optically active structures 220'' in the form of a
plurality of smaller rounded grooves than those shown in FIGS. 8A
and 8B. Still further, FIGS. 10A and B illustrate another downlight
to wallwash lens 300''' that includes an optically active region
205''' on the light source facing side 140 thereof, wherein the
optically active region 205''' includes an optically active
structure 220'' in the form of a single relatively area of
microgrooves or diffuse scattering elements.
[0089] Though FIG. 7A shows the plurality of optically active
structures 220 as a plurality of a single type of V-shaped grooves
that each laterally extend from an edge on the back of the lens 300
to a location behind one of the first, second and third optically
active regions 104, 106, 108, it should be understood that such
illustration is for the sake of example only and the optically
active structures 220 may be, and in some embodiments are,
positioned in any manner, and that different types of optically
active structures may be used in the optically active region 205.
Thus, in some embodiments, the optically active region 205 includes
first and second types of optically active structures, wherein the
first type of optically active structures extend across only a
first portion of the light source facing side 140 (e.g., the area
occupied by the plurality of optically active structures 220 shown
in FIG. 7A), and the second type of the plurality of optically
active structures extends across a different portion of the light
source facing side 140. That is, the area occupied by the optically
active region 205 may be, and in some embodiments is, subdivided
amongst several types of optically active structures in any known
way, and in any number of directions within that area.
[0090] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to lighting
systems and fixtures that include a downlight to wallwash lens
consistent with the present disclosure. For the sake of
illustration, various embodiments will be described that relate to
the use of the downlight to wallwash lenses described herein in a
downlight luminaire. It should be understood that such description
is for the sake of example, and the downlight to wallwash lenses
may be used in any type of lighting fixture, such as but not
limited to a linear fixture, a wall mount fixture (e.g., a sconce),
a floor mount fixture (e.g., an uplight), a shelving light, a
flashlight, a spot light, an automobile lighting fixture,
combinations thereof, and the like. Indeed, the lenses may be used
in any suitable lighting fixture so as to produce an output light
with an off-axis light distribution, as generally described above.
Moreover, while the embodiments described below relate to the use
of a downlight to wallwash lens which produces an off-axis light
distribution that redirects light to one side of the lens and/or
fixture, it should be understood that the lenses described herein
can be used to produce other off axis lighting distributions. For
example, the lenses described herein may be configured and/or
doubled, tripled, or quadrupled up so as to redirect light towards
two or more sides of the lens(es) or the fixture. For example, the
lenses described herein may be configured to produce a "batwing"
light distribution, i.e., in which light emitted from a light
source in a fixture is redirected to two substantially opposing
sides of the lens and/or the fixture.
[0091] With the foregoing in mind, reference is now made to FIG.
11, which depicts a lighting system 1100 including a downlight to
wallwash lens 100'. In FIG. 11, the lighting system 1100 includes a
lighting fixture 1101 in the form of a downlight luminaire, though
as noted above any suitable lighting fixture may be used. In
general, the lighting fixture 1101 includes a housing 1102 having
an aperture 1103 that is defined by a lip 1105 thereof. An axis
1106 of the aperture 1103 is illustrated as oriented generally
towards the room that the lighting system 1100 is intended to
illuminate. The lighting fixture 1101 further includes a base 1107.
Although not shown, it may be appreciated that a light source (e.g.
a solid state or other type of source) may be installed within the
lighting fixture 1101 and proximate to the base 1107. Thus, in the
manner of a typical downlight, the light source in lighting
proximate to the base 1107 may emit light within the housing 1102,
wherein the emitted light is to exit the lighting fixture 1101 via
the aperture 1103.
[0092] As further shown in FIG. 11, the lighting system 1100
further includes a downlight to wallwash lens 100' installed in a
cavity (not labeled) defined by the housing 1102 of the lighting
fixture 1101. For the sake of illustration, the downlight to
wallwash lens 100' is illustrated as installed in the housing 1102
of the lighting fixture 1101, but it should be understood that any
of the downlight to wallwash lenses described herein may be
similarly used. As shown, the downlight to wallwash lens 100' is
oriented within the housing 1102 such that the room facing side
thereof faces the aperture 1103, and the light source facing side
thereof faces the base 1107. As a result, the downlight to wallwash
lens 100' may redirect light emitted by the light source, to one
(e.g., a first) side of the lighting fixture 1101, as previously
described. As further shown, the housing 1102 includes a first
receiving member 1111 that is configured to receivably engage the
coupling member 171 of the downlight to wallwash lens 100'.
Alternatively or additionally, the housing 1102 may include a
second receiving member 1112 that is configured to receivably
engage the coupling member 161 of the downlight to wallwash lens
100'. In FIG. 11, the first receiving member 1111 is located in a
portion of the housing 1102 that is relatively close to the base
1107 of the lighting fixture 1101, whereas the second receiving
member 1112 is located in a portion of the housing 1102 that is
relative close to the aperture 1103. As a result, when downlight to
wallwash lens 100' is installed in the lighting fixture 1101, its
top may be inclined such that its optically inactive region 102
(not labeled) is proximate the base 1107, and its third optically
active region (also not labeled) is proximate the aperture 1112.
Consistent with the foregoing description, the downlight to
wallwash lens 100' may redirect light emitted from the light source
installed proximate the base 1107 of the lighting fixture 1102,
such that the light output from the lighting fixture 1102 has an
off-axial distribution relative to the axis 1106.
[0093] FIG. 12 shows another example of a lighting system 1200 that
includes a downlight to wallwash lens 100' that is installed within
a housing 1202 of a luminaire. In FIG. 12, the housing 1202 is
defined by a trim ring 1292 that extends around an opening of a
cavity 1290 and a cut cone 1280. The downlight to wallwash lens
100' is installed within the cut cone 1280, and is arranged in
relation to the housing 1202 such that it defines a portion of the
housing 1202. It should be understood that in such embodiments, the
lighting system 1200 is optically identical to the lighting system
1100 of FIG. 11. The lighting system 1200 differs from the lighting
system 1100 in the manner in which downlight to wallwash lens 100'
is installed. Instead of using coupling members to fix the
downlight to wallwash lens 100' within a housing, the downlight to
wallwash lens 100' in FIG. 12 sits on top of the housing 1202,
which is in the form of a truncated cone. The downlight to wallwash
lens 100' and the housing 1202 thus form a trim that may be
installed, e.g., in a ceiling to finish off an installation of a
downlight. Regardless, the downlight to wallwash lens 100' may
redirect light incident thereon, such that the lighting system 1200
produces an output light having a distribution that is off-axis
with respect to an axis 1206 extending through an aperture 1203 of
the cut cone 1280.
[0094] Except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing
endpoints of ranges, and so forth used in the specification and
claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by
the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary,
the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and
attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the
desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure.
At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application
of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each
numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of
significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting
forth the broad scope of the present disclosure are approximations,
unless otherwise indicated the numerical values set forth in the
specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any
numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors
necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their
respective testing measurements.
[0095] Unless otherwise stated, use of the word "substantially" may
be construed to include a precise relationship, condition,
arrangement, orientation, and/or other characteristic, and
deviations thereof as understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art, to the extent that such deviations do not materially affect
the disclosed methods and systems.
[0096] Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of
the articles "a" and/or "an" and/or "the" to modify a noun may be
understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more
than one, of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically
stated. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional
elements other than the listed elements.
[0097] Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are
described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to
communicate with, be associated with, and/or be based on, something
else, may be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and
or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise
stipulated herein.
[0098] Although the methods and systems have been described
relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited.
Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in
light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the
details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and
illustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art.
* * * * *